������Ƶ has named Dr. David Benson as the inaugural recipient of the Wayne and Susan Cady Professorship in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. This professorship, the first active named professorship at Calvin, recognizes faculty members who demonstrate excellence in teaching, research, and student mentorship in the sciences.

Established through the generosity of Wayne and Susan Cady, the professorship provides course release time and funding to support faculty research and scholarship, with a particular focus on student mentorship. By equipping faculty with these resources, the endowment strengthens Calvin’s commitment to fostering innovation and preparing students for impactful careers in science and engineering.

A Legacy of Faith and Education

Wayne and Susan Cady have invested significantly in this endowment to establish a legacy that honors their faith, family, and dedication to higher education. They aim to support Calvin’s outstanding chemistry and chemical engineering faculty, ensuring that students receive the mentorship and training necessary to excel in graduate studies and professional careers.

Wayne Cady’s journey began at Calvin College, where he was encouraged by faculty members to pursue a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry at the University of Illinois. Susan Cady, inspired by mentors at Wheaton College, pursued a career in librarianship. Their deep appreciation for Christian higher education and gratitude for the opportunities they received led them to create this professorship, which will eventually transition into the Wayne and Susan Cady Endowed Chair in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering.

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“We are deeply honored to support ������Ƶ’s commitment to high-quality Christian education in chemistry and chemical engineering,” said Wayne and Susan Cady. “We hope that this endowment will encourage faculty members like Dr. Benson to inspire and equip students to pursue advanced degrees and meaningful careers in these fields.”

Recognizing Excellence in Teaching and Research

Dr. David Benson, who joined ������Ƶ in 2008 from Wayne State University, brings a passion for training undergraduate research students at a Christian institution. With research spanning multiple chemistry and biochemistry disciplines, Dr. Benson integrates traditional biochemical methods with spectroscopic and chromatographic analysis to provide students with a robust and immersive research experience. He also plays a vital role in maintaining Calvin’s extensive science instrumentation, ensuring students have hands-on access to high-end research tools.

In addition to first-year chemistry courses, Dr. Benson has taught upper-division inorganic and analytical chemistry courses from a biological perspective. His research includes projects on proteins as antioxidants in disease and organic acid contributions to buffer capacity in brewing science. “It is an incredible honor to be named the first Cady Professor," said Benson. "Wayne and Susan’s generosity and vision are helping Calvin build on its strengths in research and student mentorship. Their support will allow us to explore new ideas that have the potential to make a real-world impact."

The Growth of New Ideas and Opportunities

One such idea is a new research project funded by the professorship. Benson explained:

"The project supported by the Cadys is actually a new project for me: We will develop resins that will selectively bind and remove cobalt ions from water-based solutions. Why is this important? Because cobalt use has exploded in the last decade from new batteries containing lithium, cobalt, and nickel. Cobalt is only mined in the Congo under hideous working conditions. We need better ways to recycle the cobalt that is already available in batteries to reduce the need to mine more cobalt. The only problem is cobalt and nickel are next to each other on the periodic table, and it is really hard to remove one without removing the other. We will apply basic concepts from inorganic (metal ion) chemistry to develop resins that selectively remove cobalt from water with a mixture of lithium, nickel, and cobalt ions."

President Greg Elzinga praised the appointment and the impact of the Cady Professorship. "This endowed professorship represents a critical investment in faculty and research at Calvin," said Elzinga. "Dr. Benson embodies the academic excellence and commitment to students that the Cady Professorship was designed to support."

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“Dr. Benson exemplifies the qualities we seek to recognize with this professorship—dedication to student mentorship, a strong research agenda, and a commitment to Christian scholarship,” said Ken Erffmeyer, vice president for advancement. “We are grateful to Wayne and Susan Cady for their generous investment in our faculty and students, and we celebrate this milestone in the university’s history.”

Dr. Benson shared his enthusiasm for this new opportunity, stating, "I am incredibly honored to be named the inaugural professor for the Wayne and Susan Cady Professorship in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at ������Ƶ. This support will allow me to further engage students in meaningful research and provide them with hands-on experiences that prepare them for advanced study and careers in the field. I look forward to continuing to mentor and inspire the next generation of scientists at Calvin."

A Lasting Impact on Future Generations

With the Professorship’s support, ������Ƶ continues to strengthen its position as a leader in Christian higher education in the sciences. This professorship not only honors a legacy of faith and learning but also paves the way for future generations of students and scholars to make meaningful contributions to the world.